William Bell: No serious challenger for this summer's Birmingham mayoral election?

Overall, Birmingham Mayor William Bell has done a commendable job during nearly 18 months in office. He has worked hard to bring redevelopment to downtown, he got the hotel and entertainment district at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center under way, and after the April 27 storms that leveled Birmingham neighborhoods, Bell stepped up as a leader.

As he runs for re-election this summer, Bell is in a pretty good position. Still, it's difficult to believe that nobody will challenge Bell for the mayor's office. But that's how it looks for now. This will be the last mayoral election where City Council members have a free run. The winner this year will serve only two years, then run for re-election along with the City Council in 2013.

At one point, the usual suspects on the City Council were expected to enter the mayor's race: Steven Hoyt, Carole Smitherman and Council President Roderick Royal, among them. Royal said early on he wasn't going to run; he wants to complete his term as president. Smitherman hasn't done so well in recent mayoral elections; Hoyt said the two-year term is discouraging candidates, including himself.

It's possible that for the first time in a long time, no council member will run for mayor. And if a council member runs in 2013, the councilor will have to give up the council seat.

While Bell would be difficult to beat this year, no matter who ran against him, it would still be good if he had a serious challenge. That would keep Bell on his toes, plus generate interest in the election, which is set for Aug. 23 (only two months from now).

Sure, we can expect some fringe candidates -- gadflies and others who don't stand a chance even if they were the only candidates on the ballot -- but Bell may get a free ride this time around.

What are you hearing about the Birmingham mayor's race? What do you think about Bell running unopposed? Will it happen?